incarnation

noun

in·​car·​na·​tion ˌin-(ˌ)kär-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act of incarnating : the state of being incarnate

2

: a particular physical form or state : version

in another incarnation he might be a first vice-president

—Walter Teller

TV and movie incarnations of the story

3

a

: a concrete or actual form of a quality or concept

especially : a person showing a trait or typical character to a marked degree

she is the incarnation of goodness

b(1)

capitalized : the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ

(2)

: the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form

incarnational

ˌin-(ˌ)kär-ˈnā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• abstract
• avatar
• embodier
• embodiment
• epitome
• externalization
• genius
• icon
• ikon
• image
• incorporation
• instantiation
• manifestation
• objectification
• personification
• personifier

Examples of incarnation in a Sentence

the doctrine of the Incarnation

she is the very incarnation of grace and tactfulness

Recent Examples on the Web

Jamie Chung voiced a much different version of the character (Asian-American and living in a ’50s-esque Gotham City) on Batman: Caped Crusader, while Lady Gaga portrayed a more down-to-earth incarnation in Joker: Folie à Deux. —Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025

Her previous incarnation, the drug lord Manitas del Monte, is reported dead. —Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025

This incarnation of Orlok is something of an outlier in vampire cinema, as he is dressed in the period-accurate robes of a Transylvanian nobleman, complete with the mustache that was the fashion of his time. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

By 1983, the District had already seen the American Soccer League’s Whips, the NASL’s Darts and two incarnations of the Washington Diplomats leave within the last 15 years. —Pablo Maurer, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b(2)

Kids Definition

incarnation

noun

in·​car·​na·​tion ˌin-ˌkär-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the appearance of a god or spirit in an earthly form

2

capitalized : the union of divine and human natures in Jesus Christ

3

: an actual instance of a quality or concept

she was the incarnation of goodness